More info: The Uptown was a bargain house as early as 1970, offering “3 Big Pictures!” for 75 cents. It was open only on Sat. and Sun. The theatre had a small outer foyer, leading to a HUGE outer lobby that featured a water fountain (which had stopped functioning long before I started going there in October 1972). The outer lobby had a sweeping staircase leading upstairs.

Sometime in 1973, “Winky” (the manager) started using the pink flourescent lights that flanked the screen. The Uptown always used its screen curtains, giving its decidedly downscale audience a taste of its former grandeur.

Also by 1973, the fare was cut back to a double feature, and Sunday admission was a dollar (later extended to Saturdays).